Douche apparatus



Mag 17, 1938. v. w. MORTON ET AL DOUCHE APPARATUS Filed Sept. 25, 1936 INVENTORj VINCENT W MORTON MITCHELL F HWE/G'EZ THE/Z A TTORNE Y.

Patented May 17, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DOUCHE APPARATUS Application September 23, 1936, Serial No. 102,182

1 Claim.

Our invention relates to douche apparatus; and the broad object of the invention is to provide apparatus adapted for connection with a source of water under pressure and having an improved a nozzle for controlling the flow of water, and also embodying means for medicating the water, and means for protecting the user against excessive water temperatures and pressures.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of our invention. It is to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to this disclosure of species of our invention, as we may adopt variant embodiments thereof within the scope of the claim.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side view, partly in section and partly in elevation, showing a douche apparatus embodyingthe improvements of our invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view showing the nozzle mounting, taken in a plane indicated by the line 2-2 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is another sectional viewof the nozzle mounting, taken in a plane indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view through the thermostatic valve chamber, taken in a plane indicated by the line 3- 3 of Figure 1.

In terms of broad inclusion, the douche apparatus embodying our invention comprises a hollow handle for receiving water under pressure and to which a nozzle is pivoted. The nozzle communicates with the handle, and an arrange- 5 ment of ports is provided so that flow of water to the nozzle is controlled by relative turning movement between the nozzle and handle. Water is directed to the hollow handle by a flexible duct adapted for connection with a source of water under pressure, preferably the bib of a hot and cold water mixing faucet. Means are also provided in the apparatus for medicating the water, and this means preferably comprises a soluble cake of medicinal material disposed in 4.5 the hollow handle of the nozzle. A thermostatically controlled safety valve and a water pres sure relief valve are also preferably interposed in the duct.

In greater detail, and referring to the drawing,

50 the douche apparatus embodying our invention comprises a nozzle 2 pivotally mounted on a hollow handle 3 to which a flexible duct 4 is connected. The duct is provided with a coupler portion 6 adapted to be slipped over the end of a faucet bib, such as the bib of a hot and cold water mixing faucet, so that water at a desired temperature is supplied under pressure to the nozzle.

Means associated with the pivot connection between the nozzle 2 and handle 3 is provided for controlling the flow of water. As shown in Figure 3, the nozzle is provided with a tapered plug portion 1 seated in a complementary tapered socket 8 opening out at one side in the lower end of the elongated handle 3. The pivot mounting is completed by a pin 9 passing through the parts, and the plug 7 is held firmly seated in the socket by a spring ll encircling the pin. Communication between the handle and nozzle is effected by a passage l2 in the lower end of the handle and opening out into the socket, and a passage H in the nozzle ported out on the tapered plug and adapted to register with the passage l2.

These twopassages provide communication between the handle and nozzle when the latter is in the operating position extending outwardly from the handle, as shown in Figure 1. In this operative position the nozzle performs its function of irrigating desired areas. When the ports are not in register the flow of water is cut off, and this valve action provides convenient means for closing the nozzle when flow is not desired, as when the device is being carried across a room or when the nozzle is being inserted. In order to permit adjusting the nozzle in its extended or operative position, without cutting off the flow of water, the port in the handle is preferably elongated so that the nozzle port will remain in registration over a predetermined arc of nozzle movement. Preferably this are is between the and 90 positions of the nozzle from the handle.

Another feature of the construction is the provision of a second passage M in the nozzle, adapted to register with the handle passage II when the nozzle extends downwardly for purposes of draining the handle. Suitable stops 5 are also preferably provided on the handle and nozzle to limit the latter when the drain passage is in registration.

Means are also provided in the apparatus for medicating the water discharging from the nozzle. For this purpose a cored cylindrical cake I! of a soluble medicinal material is provided in the cylindrical barrel formed by the tubular handle 3. This cake may be of any suitable composition, and is designed to medicate the water as the latter washes through it. Additional cakes may be supplied in separate packages for replacements when a cake in the apparatus is used up. As shown in Figure 1, the cake I! is sized to fit the tubular body of the handle, and rests upon a screen l8 disposed in the bottom of the handle recess.

The upper end of the handle is provided. with a threaded cap l9, and a gasket 2| is interposed between these parts to insure a tight joint when the cap isscrewed down. A neck 22 on the cap provides a convenient connection for the flexible duct 4.

Means are also preferably provided in the apparatus for automatically closing the duct should the wateraccidently become too hot. For this purpose a chamber is interposed in the duct system, preferably between the coupler portion r 6 and the main duct 4, and comprises an upper portion 23 having a tube engaging neck 24, and a lower portion 26 having an oppositely disposed neck 2'! for receiving the tube 4. The two halves of the chamber are threaded together and sealed by suitable gaskets 28. A valve 29 is slidably mounted in the discharge opening at the lower end of the chamber, and is controlled by a bimetallic strip or diaphragm 30 having its ends clamped between the halves of the chamber.

The normal position of this diaphragm is shown in Figure 1, with the valve open; and when the water exceeds a predetermined temperature the diaphragm snaps down, closing the valve. This automatic control therefore prevents injuriously hot water from reaching the nozzle 2. In order to protect the diaphragm from the impingement of incoming water, a baffle plate 3! is arranged over it and is also held between the halves of the chamber. Both the baiile plate and diaphragm are provided with annular flanges 32 for clamping between the chamber portions, and a ring 33 is disposed between these flanges for spacing the baflie plate above the diaphragm.

Means are further preferably provided for preventing undue water pressure at the nozzle. This protective device is also mounted on the chamber 23, and comprises a spring pressed valve 34 controlling an opening in the side wall of the charm her. The spring 35 of the valve is compressed against a cap 36 threaded on a boss 3'! of the chamber; this boss having a slot 38 to provide an outlet. Spring 35 is preferably carefully adjusted at the factory, and is fixed in adjustment by tightly screwing on cap 36 to discourage tampering. The loading of this spring is preferably equivalent .to about the pressure of a three foot water head on the valve, or other safe pressure for douche purposes.

In designing the valve chamber, the outlet opening in neck 21 is made larger than both the inlet opening in neck 24 and the pressure relief opening controlled by valve 34; and the relief opening is made larger than the inlet opening. This permits free flow of water through the chamber when relief valve 34 is closed, and also allows the relief opening to amply take care of the discharge when valve 29 is closed.

In preparing the apparatus for use, the valve at the nozzle is closed and the hot and cold water faucets are adjusted to give the desired temperature and flow of water. Safety valve 34 will of course open with the nozzle closed, and the flow of water can be observed by the discharge through outlet 38. The flow should be such that water runs easily out of the opening, without spurting. When the nozzle is subsequently opened the safety valve 34 will close and the water discharge through the nozzle. If at any time the pressure in chamber 23 exceeds the loading pressure of valve 34 the latter will open, thus protecting the user against dangerous pressures that might accidently occur. Valve 34 also operates as a discharge valve when the thermostatically controlled valve 29 closes, and prevents the heavy line pressure from building up in the chamber.

The various parts of our apparatus, such as the chamber 23, handle 3, and nozzle 2, may be molded of any suitable material. A condensation product, such as bakelite, is preferably used however because of its durability and good appearance. tus including the rubber tubes 4 and 6 are readily packaged and require little space for storage. A feature contributing materially to the compactness of the structure is the pivoted arrangement of the nozzle, since it collapses against the handle 3, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 1.

We claim:

A douche apparatus comprising a hollow handle having a discharge port, and a nozzle pivotally mounted on the handle and having a passage with a port adapted to register with said handle port, one of said ports being elongated to allow registration of the ports in a plurality of positions of said nozzle.

VINCENT W. MORTON. MITCHELL F. SCHWEIGER.

The several elements of the appara- 

